2006 Mustang GT - Leaving A Mark

06' Roush Stage 1 Mustang

Whether you're a lifelong Mustang fan or were introduced to the game later in life, most can pinpoint a moment when the goal of Pony ownership first became real.

This holds true for Bill Lohr, the proud owner of this ruthless Roush. "Before I ever owned a Mustang, I was inspired by my friend Randy's Shelby GT350," Bill explained. "He owned it before anyone knew that those cars would become what they are today."

Growing up, Bill's parents were also Ford owners--his mom drove her beloved 289 Fairlane, while his dad had Ford station wagons, so Bill wasn't completely green when it came to the Blue Oval.

Then, some years down the road, Bill purchased a '70 Mach 1 powered by a 351 Cleveland. "When I saw the Mach, I wanted it. When you see a car that has all the things you want and all that power at a young age, you have to have it."

Regrettably, he sold the Mach 1 only two years later, and somehow managed to refrain from obtaining another Pony until 2005. With the release of the S197 body style, Bill was ready to get back in the game.

"I decided on an '06 Roush Stage 1 Mustang from Don Knott Ford in Carson, California," Bill says. "I like Jack Roush's philosophy of cars and racing--that made the decision for me."

But it wasn't perfect, as Bill wasn't totally satisfied with the factory paint. He took his new Stang to Foreign Auto Body in Gardena, California, to fix some defects in the factory paint job. "It needed an improvement from the stock orange-peel paint," Bill explained. The car was color-sanded and the original white stripes were replaced with silver ones.

The next big decision to make concerned the supercharger of choice, and after some intensive research, Bill decided to go with an intercooled 2.6L Kenne Bell Twin-Screw producing 10 psi, which was installed by GTR High Performance in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

GTR also installed a Fluidyne radiator to keep the Roush cool, and JBA ceramic-coated shorty headers, which flow to Flowmaster mufflers via Bassani X-style exhaust. The total package provided Bill with 440 rwhp and 375 lb-ft of torque to play with.

What really makes this Roush a blast to drive is the intense suspension. Voss Performance combined a Saleen Watt's link, with a Granatelli Motorsports A-arm support brace, JDM/Prothane engine lowering mounts, and a Steeda Billet strut tower brace to keep the Pony strong and sturdy.

A Sparta rear crossbar, in conjunction with Simpson five-point restraint keeps Bill tight in the cockpit, while Auto Meter gauges keep him in tune with the vitals. An Eclipse 5495 stereo, rear camera, iPod interface, and Escort 9500 radar detector upgrade the Roush to high-tech status. The Roush's unused cup holders now house a Parrot Bluetooth unit and a clock thanks to a one-off plate made by Speed of Sound in Memphis, Tennessee.

"The car really sticks to the road," Bill tells us. "It's really a pleasure to drive especially on mountain roads and at the track. It's the best therapy out there."

Bill was given a chance to show off the car to thousands at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, after winning top honors at a show in Pasadena, California. He explained how lucky he has been to make great friends in the Mustang world, and that it's "not so much about winning, but for me, it's about the event itself and meeting people."

Years of patiently waiting for the right Pony to come along has resulted in the creation of this incredible Roush. "After seeing all the fun my friend Randy was having with his Shelby, I was hooked on Mustangs--and this Stang really leaves a mark."